salesman
Salesman (noun) means a man whose job is to sell products, either in a store or by visiting customers. Example: “The salesman gave a persuasive pitch about the vacuum cleaner.”
noun
1
A man whose job is to sell products, either in a store or by visiting customers.
"The salesman gave a persuasive pitch about the vacuum cleaner."
"He worked as a used-car salesman for a decade."
"A friendly salesman helped us choose a washing machine that fitted our budget."
How to use salesman
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA man who sells things for a living.
When to use it
Increasingly replaced by gender-neutral "salesperson" in professional contexts.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- salesmen
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ gave a persuasive pitch about the vacuum cleaner.
Etymology
From sales + man.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for salesman
See all rhymes for salesman →Frequently asked questions
What does “salesman” mean?
The word “salesman” means a man whose job is to sell products, either in a store or by visiting customers. In plain terms, a man who sells things for a living.
How do you use “salesman” in a sentence?
Here is “salesman” used in a sentence: “The salesman gave a persuasive pitch about the vacuum cleaner.”
What part of speech is “salesman”?
“Salesman” is a noun.
Is “salesman” a common word?
“Salesman” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a salesman and a salesperson?
Salesman specifically refers to a man whose job is to sell products, either in a store or by visiting customers, while salesperson is a gender-neutral term covering anyone in that role regardless of gender. Many modern workplaces prefer salesperson or sales representative to avoid assuming the seller's gender.
Is 'salesman' still commonly used today?
Salesman is still used, particularly in set phrases like 'traveling salesman' or 'used car salesman,' but gender-neutral alternatives such as salesperson or sales rep are increasingly preferred in professional and formal contexts. Usage often depends on the specific job title and the norms of the industry or region.
What is a 'traveling salesman'?
A traveling salesman is a salesman who visits customers directly, often across a wide territory, rather than selling from a fixed store location. The term is also well known from the mathematical 'traveling salesman problem,' which uses the job as a basis for a routing optimization puzzle.
